Egypt reclaim the African Games titles in what was some thrilling competition

· Egypt beat Tunisia (women) and Kenya (men) in straight sets to reclaim African Games titles

· Tunisia and FIVB Volleyball Empowerment supported Kenya took the silver and bronze medals, respectively in the women’s competition

· Kenya and Ghana won the silver and bronze medals, respectively in the men’s tournament

· Egypt dominated both the men’s and the women’s Dream Team, producing three players in each

Egypt were crowned both men’s and women’s champions of the African Games Accra 2024 on Saturday in Ghana.

In the women’s final, the team from Egypt overcame Tunisia 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) before their men’s team defeated Kenya in straight sets (25-22, 25-21, 25-18) to emerge as champions.

It was the sixth time that the men’s team from Egypt had claimed the title, following their last success in 2007 in Algeria. As for Egypt’s women’s team, 2024 saw them end a 37-year wait for the title. having last won it in 1987 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Hosts Ghana stunned defending men’s champions Cameroon 3-2 (25-18, 25-23, 20-25, 22-25, 09-15) in the third place match to settle for bronze.

FIVB Volleyball Empowerment supported Kenya beat Ghana 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-16) to win the bronze medal in the women’s category. Malkia Strikers, as the Kenya women’s volleyball team are fondly referred to, have received almost CHF 600,000 in support from the Volleyball Empowerment programme from 2021 to 2023.

On route to the final, Egypt’s women’s team finished second in Pool A behind Tunisia, before securing victory against Nigeria in 3-0 sweep in the quarter-final, and edging out defending champions Kenya in tight 3-2 match in the semi-final.

In the men’s competition, Egypt’s men’s team finished top of Pool B to book Gambia in the quarter-final. They defeated Gambia 3-0 in the quarter-final and sailed through to the final thanks to a 3-1 win over hosts Ghana in the semi-final.

The men’s Dream Team at the African Games Accra 2023 (Photo credits: CAVB)

In addition to claiming the trophy, Egypt also dominated the Men’s Dream Team with setter Abdelmoaty Mostafa and middle blocker Elhaddad Mohamed leading the way. Outside hitter Mohamed Asran was crowned Most Valuable Player. Kenya’s duo of middle blocker Wilson Cheruiyot and Nicholas Matui were also named on the team.

Cameroon’s Nelson Djam was named Best Libero while Ghana’s pair of opposite Alhassan Imoro and outside hitter Ibrahim Abdul Hameed completed the elite list.

The women’s Dream Team had three players from champions Egypt, namely Essa Nada (Best Libero), Emam Dana (Best Setter) and Elhady Ayah (Most Valuable Player). Silver medalists Tunisia were represented by outside hitter Mohamed Jihen and middle blocker Boughanmi Maroua. Ghana’s Morti Benedicta Mawuse was named Best Opposite while Kenya’s pair of middle blocker Trizah Atuka and outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo claimed the final spots.

Eight teams participated in the men’s competition, while nine teams featured in the women’s tournament. The next edition of the African Games will be held in Cairo, Egypt in 2027.